(WIPO code: BE) (latest review March 2024)
by GEVERS PATENTS, Diegem (Brussels)
Belgium
General Information
Area
30,528 sq. km.
Population
11.7 million (January 2023).
Capital
Brussels, with 1.2 million inhabitants.
Languages
Dutch, French, German.
Currency
Euro (EUR).
Imports
Cereals, raw minerals, crude oil, organic chemicals, plastics and derivatives, wood and timber, paper and derivatives, wool, textiles, clothes, jewelry, steel, iron, copper, aluminum, machinery, electronic equipment, automobiles and precision instruments.
Exports
Oil (refined or partially refined), fertilizers, photographic products, plastics and derivatives, paper and derivatives, wool, textiles, clothes, carpets, glass, jewelry, diamonds, steel, iron, copper, aluminium, machinery, electronic equipment and automobiles.
General Remarks
Belgium is one of the most highly industrialized nations in Europe. Industry chiefly comprises the processing of imported raw materials for re-export in a semi-finished or finished form. Of primary importance are: iron and steel, non-ferrous metals, fabricated metal products, textiles, diamonds, chemical and pharmaceutical products.
The Kingdom of Belgium is a constitutional monarchy. It is one of the most densely populated countries in Europe.
Both Dutch (sometimes referred to as Flemish) and French are spoken and are the officially recognized languages. German, spoken by a minority in the East of the country, is the third national language. The majority of the people are Roman Catholic, but complete religious toleration prevails.
Brussels is the seat of European institutions (EU and EURATOM).